Progress Illinois

As the national press tries to connect the dots in the scandal embroiling Gov. Rod Blagojevich, some veteran Illinois legislators are making the media rounds to give their insights. On his eponymous CNN program last night, Larry King hosted Attorney General Lisa Madigan and U.S. Reps. Jan Schakowsky and Danny Davis, both considered contenders for the open Senate seat at the center of some charges against the governor. Schakowsky and Davis each told King that they had talked individually to Blagojevich in recent weeks about the Senate appointment but neither recalled any discussion of horsetrading.  Schakowsky added that the allegations against the governor are enough to demand a resignation, a view she shares with the President-elect. Watch:

As Schakowsky acknowledges, the fact that Blagojevich never asked her for anything is proof that she was not actually in contention for the seat.  If the General Assembly is successful in setting up a special election for the vacant post, however, it seems pretty likely she'll throw her hat in that ring.  If that happens, it's hard to imagine a more progressive candidate entering the race.

Meanwhile, Madigan hinted strongly that if the General Assembly failed to impeach Blagojevich quickly, she would invoke Illinois Supreme Court Rule 382, which allows someone to file a request for the Supreme Court to conduct a hearing to determine if the governor has the ability to serve or resume office. Watch:

As we noted earlier, the rule's language is pretty vague.  It'll probably take a bit longer before the legal eagles in the state can determine whether this avenue to removing Blagojevich from office is really feasible.